Iowa prom king, 17, drowns in lake weeks after graduating
A recent high school grad and prom king tragically drowned in an Iowa lake Wednesday.
Ayden Beeson vanished beneath the surface of Rathburn Lake in Centerville more than an hour before rescue teams found his body, officials said.
The 17-year-old swimmer “went under the water and had not resurfaced,” according to the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office.
owa prom king Ayden Beeson vanished beneath the surface of Rathburn Lake in Centerville more than an hour before rescue teams found his body on June 26, 2024. Ayden Beeson/Instagram
The boy’s body was found at 7:33 p.m. in 15 to 20 feet of water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
While police did not identify the teen, Centerville Community Schools confirmed it was Beeson, who was crowned prom king before graduating from Centerville High School in May.
Despite achieving quintessential high school popularity, the football and tennis player was well known in the community as a “genuinely kind person who treated every student and staff member with respect.”
“On top of being a great athlete his best quality was him just being him,” Beeson’s tennis coach Tyler Baze wrote on Facebook.
Beeson’s tennis coach remembered the great athlete whose best quality was him just being him. Tyler Baze/Facebook
“Ayden was the kid every teacher and coach loves, he was such a kind and compassionate kid and gave you everything he had in the classroom and field/court! I’m am thankful for getting the opportunity to know such a person.
Centerville High School reopened its doors this week to offer counseling to grieving friends and dozens gathered at the football field where the teenager once played for a prayer vigil.
Centerville High School reopened its doors this week to offer counseling to grieving friends and dozens gathered at the football field where the teenager once played for a prayer vigil. KCCI
The school district also shared an emblem on its social media channels reading “Be like Beeson #20,” in reference to his jersey number. KCCI
The school district also shared an emblem to its social media channels reading “Be like Beeson #20,” in reference to his jersey number.
The circumstances surrounding his drowning are still under investigation.